London Food And Drink News: 20 February 2014

Ben O' Norum
By Ben O' Norum Last edited 121 months ago
London Food And Drink News: 20 February 2014

jason-athertonWelcome to our weekly round-up of all that’s happening in London’s food and drink scene.

Inside this week: Jason Atherton, pizza, new openings

Jason Atherton In Bethnal Green

Well, sort of. The ex-Ramsay chef whose restaurant empire includes Pollen Street Social and Berners Tavern has been announced as a backer of the new restaurant which will replace Viajante in Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel. Lee Westcott, who currently works at Atherton’s restaurants in Singapore, will take on the role of head chef and will also look after the hotel’s other restaurant, The Corner Room. Viajante closes at the end of next week, but neither its opening date nor its name are yet known. Details on what ex-Viajante chef Nuno Mendes is up to now are in a previous Food And Drink News round-up.

Bermondsey Pizza Crawl

Wholesale bakery Ticino on Bermondsey Street has launched a pizza restaurant on the road. It comes just before sourdough pizza masters Franco Manca is due to open a new branch on the same street. Italian restaurant Zucca is also planning a pizza-led expansion. Guess we all know where to go next time we want a pizza crawl.

Pub With Rooms

The Tommyfield in Kennington is opening a six-room boutique hotel on two floors above the gastropub. It’s run by the Renaissance Pubs group, which has several venues across south London, and has plans to open more pubs with accommodation in the future.

New For Norman

Russell Norman’s Polpetto reopened this week. It’s swapped the space above Soho’s The French House for a larger site down the road on Berwick Street. It comes at the same time as chef Alex Windebank is named as new head chef at the restaurateur’s pub Ape & Bird (which we reviewed here).Windebank will develop the menu and bring a bigger focus on British comfort-food classics.

Putney Portuguese

A new Portuguese-inspired restaurant is due to open in Putney next month. Going by the name of Hide & Seed, it will take up residence in the Lodge Hotel and feature dishes combining British and Portuguese influences, such as 22-hour cooked pig’s head with smoked pepper jam and crispy pig’s ear, as well as cocktails influenced by the cuisine of the country.

Talk To Us

We still want your help to keep these weekly food and drink news round-ups as relevant, up-to-date, and interesting as possible. Got any top tips, local gems or foodie news? Tried one of the new restaurants we mentioned? Leave a comment below or hit us up at hello@londonist.com. ‘Til next week…

Last Updated 20 February 2014